120-574: The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing ) F-15E Strike Eagle is an American all-weather multirole strike fighter derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle . The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high-speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic-warfare aircraft . United States Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles can be generally distinguished from other US Eagle variants by darker aircraft camouflage , conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) mounted along
240-476: A maréchal de camp wore two stars. During the French Revolution , the revolutionaries' drive to rationalise the state led to a change in the system of ranks. The rank of brigadier des armées was abolished and the normal brigade command rank, maréchal de camp , was replaced by brigade general. The rank of brigade general inherited the two stars of the rank of maréchal de camp , explaining
360-555: A General de Brigada wears a two-star insignia. Hence, it is equivalent to the major general rank of many countries. In the Brazilian Air Force , all of the senior ranks include 'Brigadeiro'; the two-star rank is Brigadeiro (Brigadier), the three-star rank is Major-Brigadeiro (Major-Brigadier), and the four-star rank is Tenente-Brigadeiro-do-Ar (Lieutenant-Air-Brigadier). In the Canadian Forces ,
480-686: A Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk . In order to strike from increased distances, the F-15E was equipped with the AGM-130, which provided a stand-off strike capability. Weeks after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the 391st Fighter Squadron deployed to Ahmad al-Jaber air base , Kuwait, to support Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan . F-15Es met little resistance during initial missions. On
600-448: A laser gyroscope to continuously monitor the aircraft's position and provide information to the central computer and other systems, including a digital moving map in both cockpits. The LANTIRN system is mounted externally under the engine intakes; it allows the aircraft to fly at low altitudes, at night, and in any weather conditions, to attack ground targets with a variety of precision-guided and unguided weapons. The LANTIRN system gives
720-454: A 36-year-old Tunisian jihadist linked to the 2015 Sousse attacks . Sources said that 49 people were killed and 6 wounded; two Serbians kidnapped by IS in 2015 were also reportedly killed. On 8 June 2017, an F-15E shot down a pro-Syrian Regime UAV near Al Tanf, Syria ; according to OIR officials, it was downed after deploying "one of several weapons it was carrying near a position occupied by Coalition personnel... [It was] similar in size to
840-623: A 500 lb (230 kg) laser-guided bomb, killing three and wounding five others. On 7 April 2003, an F-15E, crewed by Captain Eric Das and Major William Watkins, performed a key interdiction mission in support of special forces, but crashed near Tikrit , Iraq. Das and Watkins were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart . During the war, F-15Es were credited with destroying 60% of
960-706: A U.S. MQ-1 Predator ". The drone may have been a Shahed 129 ; on 20 June 2017, a second Shahed-129 was downed by an F-15E near the 50 mile exclusion zone around Al-Tanf. On 21 August 2021, a USAF F-15E shot down an unidentified drone with an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile as the drone approached US forces in Eastern Syria. USAF F-15Es were deployed on 2 February 2024, during the airstrikes against Iranian backed militias in Iraq and Syria . USAF F-15Es helped blunt an Iranian attack against Israel on 13 April 2024 by shooting down over 70 Iranian one-way attack UAVs. The F-15I
1080-506: A close collaboration on the development of the F-15E's air-to-ground capabilities. To assist in the F-15E's development, McDonnell Douglas modified the second TF-15A prototype, AF serial number 71-0291 , as a demonstrator. The aircraft, known as the Advanced Fighter Capability Demonstrator, first flew on 8 July 1980. It was previously used to test conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), initially designed for
1200-624: A colonel. Prior to 2001, the Bangladesh Army rank was known as brigadier , in conformity with the rank structure of the Commonwealth Nations . In 2001 the Bangladesh Army introduced the rank of brigadier general , however "the grade stayed equivalent to brigadier", and although classified as a "one-star rank", a brigadier general is not considered to be a general officer – the lowest ranking general officer
1320-464: A few. The first use of the term was by the multinational European project named Multi-Role Combat Aircraft , which was formed in 1968 to produce an aircraft capable of tactical strike , aerial reconnaissance , air defense , and maritime roles. The design was aimed to replace a multitude of different types in the cooperating air forces. The project produced the Panavia Tornado , which used
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#17327719675391440-595: A house where Saddam Hussein was believed to be; F-15Es dropped GBU-28s around the H3 airfield. On 20 March, the effective start of the war, F-15Es fired AGM-130s against communication, command and control buildings, and other key targets in Baghdad; some weapons missed their intended targets, possibly due to jamming by EA-6B Prowlers in the vicinity. On 3 April 2003, an F-15E mistook a USA M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) for an Iraqi surface-to-air missile site and dropped
1560-590: A later time. Another choice is the F-35 Lightning II , set to replace other aircraft such as the F-16 Falcon ; a F-35E variant was studied. Adding a second seat to the F-35 is complex and costly, especially to preserve its stealth profile; providing for greater range and payload would also be difficult tasks. Alternatively, the role could be covered by a combination of fighter and bomber aircraft, such as
1680-594: A lighter bomb load compared to contemporaries like the Rafale, which sacrifices air-to-air ability for a heavier payload. Some aircraft, like the Saab JAS 39 Gripen , are called swing-role , to emphasize the ability of a quick role change, either at short notice, or even within the same mission. According to the Military Dictionary: "the ability to employ a multi-role aircraft for multiple purposes during
1800-411: A low-threat environment for air operations. Aircraft commonly flew on-call support missions for allied ground forces, F-15Es usually carried MK-82 and GBU-12 bombs in this role, other weapons were sometimes carried, during one mission a GBU-28, two GBU-24s and six GBU-12s were released. Frequent targets during the rest of the war were individual insurgents, light vehicles and supply convoys; cannon fire
1920-815: A menu of display options. Unlike previous two-place jets (e.g. the F-14 Tomcat and Navy variants of the F-4), whose back seat omitted flying controls , the F-15E's back seat is equipped with its own stick and throttle so the WSO can take over flying, albeit with reduced visibility. For extended range, the F-15E is fitted with two conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) that hug the fuselage to produce lower drag than conventional underwing/underbelly drop tanks . They carry 750 U.S. gallons (2,800 L) of fuel, and house six weapons hardpoints in two rows of three in tandem. Unlike conventional drop tanks, CFTs cannot be jettisoned, thus increased range
2040-679: A payload capability up to 100 lb (45 kg). An ALASA vehicle is to be fitted under an F-15E, which will climb to 40,000 ft, then be released and fire its four engines to reach low-Earth orbit. Awarding the contract to Boeing would make use of the F-15E as the carriage vehicle, as previous design contracts had been given to Lockheed Martin to use the F-22 Raptor and Virgin Galactic to use their SpaceShip Two aircraft. DARPA had previously insisted they wanted to select an aircraft they would not need to modify heavily to carry and launch
2160-488: A repetition. F-15Es of the 391st Fighter Squadron , 492d Fighter Squadron , and 494th Fighter Squadron regularly deployed to Turkey throughout the 1990s. In January 1993, in breach of the ceasefire agreement, Iraqi targets below the 32nd parallel north were attacked; 10 F-15Es conducted a punitive strike days later . Most missions were of a defensive nature, the Strike Eagles carried a flexible range of weapons on
2280-465: A second and final F-15E was downed by an Iraqi SA-2 ; the crew survived and evaded capture for several days and made contact with coalition aircraft, but a rescue was not launched due to security issues over an airman who failed to identify himself with proper codes. The Iraqis later captured both airmen. F-15Es destroyed 18 Iraqi jets on the ground at Tallil air base using GBU-12s and CBU-87s . On 14 February, an F-15E scored its only air-to-air kill of
2400-454: A second strike of 21 F-15Es. At night-time, F-15Es flew hunter missions over western Iraq, searching for mobile SCUD launchers. By conducting random bombings in suspected areas, it was hoped to deter the Iraqis from setting up for a Scud launch. On the war's opening night, an F-15E failed to hit a MiG-29 with an AIM-9 Sidewinder; other F-15Es also unsuccessfully engaged this lone MiG-29, which
2520-550: A secondary role like air-to-surface attack . However, those designed with an emphasis on aerial combat are usually regarded as air superiority fighters and usually deployed solely in that role, even though they are theoretically capable of ground attack. The Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale are classified as multirole fighters; however the Typhoon is frequently considered an air superiority fighter due to its higher dogfighting prowess while its built-in strike capability has
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#17327719675392640-409: A single silver maple leaf beneath crossed sabre and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown , worn on the shoulder straps of the service dress jacket, and on slip-ons on other uniforms. The rank insignia on army uniforms is a gold maple leaf beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, on the shoulder straps. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves;
2760-572: A tracking system that mark an enemy for destruction as far away as 10 mi (16 km). Once tracking has started, targeting information is automatically handed off to infrared homing air-to-surface missiles or laser-guided bombs . The targeting pod is mounted beneath the left engine intake; configurations may be either the AN/AAQ-14 , AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening , or the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper . The F-15E carries most air-to-ground weapons in
2880-488: A typical mission. AWACS aircraft were in close contact with F-15E crews, who would receive new taskings while airborne and thus could fly unplanned attacks on Iraqi targets. After 1993, no-fly zone violations were minimal as Iraq staged a minor withdrawal; in 1997, Turkey approved the creation of Operation Northern Watch (ONW) and permitted US forces to use the Incirlik air base. In December 1998, Operation Desert Fox
3000-660: A version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon , while McDonnell Douglas offered both the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-15E. On 27 January 1994, the Israeli government announced their intention to buy 21 modified F-15Es, designated F-15I . On 12 May 1994, the US Government authorized the purchase of up to 25 F-15Is by Israel. In November 1995, Israel ordered four extra F-15Is; 25 were built from 1996 to 1998. Some of
3120-457: A very low altitude following cues displayed on a HUD; it also can be coupled to the autopilot to provide "hands off" terrain-following capability. This pod also contains a forward-looking infrared system which is projected on the HUD, typically used during nighttime or low-visibility operations. The nav pod is installed beneath the right engine intake. The targeting pod contains a laser designator and
3240-537: Is Major General . Brigadier general is equivalent to commodore of the Bangladesh Navy and air commodore of the Bangladesh Air Force . It is still more popularly called brigadier . The Belgian Army uses the rank of général de brigade ( French ) and brigadegeneraal ( Dutch , 'brigade general'). However, in this small military there are no permanent promotions to this rank, and it
3360-479: Is a combat aircraft intended to perform different roles in combat. These roles can include air to air combat , air support , aerial bombing , reconnaissance , electronic warfare , and suppression of air defenses . The term "multirole" was originally reserved for aircraft designed with the aim of using a common airframe for multiple tasks where the same basic airframe is adapted to a number of differing roles. The main motivation for developing multirole aircraft
3480-476: Is a military rank used in many countries. The rank originates from the Old European System . It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general . When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000 troops (four battalions ). In some countries, this rank
3600-456: Is a trade-off for increased drag and weight compared to a "clean" configuration. The tactical electronic warfare system (TEWS) integrates all countermeasures on the craft: radar warning receivers, radar jammer, radar and chaff / flare dispensers are all tied to the TEWS to provide comprehensive defense against detection and tracking. This system includes an externally mounted ALQ-131 ECM pod which
3720-615: Is an infantry brigade. The two brigade group structure envisages distinct operational areas of responsibility for each of the brigades and is supported in its responsibilities by the Naval Service and Air Corps. Each of the brigade formations and the Air Corps is commanded by a brigadier general, while the Naval Service is commanded by a commodore. In the Italian Armed Forces the rank has different denominations. In
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle - Misplaced Pages Continue
3840-916: Is associated with the lowest level within the government top management. Within the Mexican Armed Forces , there exists two grades of brigadier general. The lowest general officer is General brigadier , with the second lowest being General de brigada . The general officer rank higher than the two brigadier generals is Divisional general . In the Philippines, Brigadier General ( Philippine Army Philippine Air Force and Philippine Marines )/ Commodore ( Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard )/ Chief Superintendent ( Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology ) / Police Brigadier General (Chief Superintendent before) ( Philippine National Police ) / Gial De Brigada (1890–1902) ( Philippine Revolutionary Army )
3960-618: Is carried on the centerline pylon when required. The MIDS Fighter Data Link Terminal, produced by BAE Systems , improves situational awareness and communications capabilities via the Link 16 datalink. The TEWS was replaced by the AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS digital electronic warfare suite beginning in 2022; EPAWSS replaces all TEWS components with lighter and more capable digital ones for increased performance. The APG-70 radar allows crews to detect ground targets from longer ranges; one feature
4080-406: Is cost reduction in using a common airframe. More roles can be added, such as aerial reconnaissance , forward air control , and electronic-warfare aircraft . Attack missions include the subtypes air interdiction , suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), and close air support (CAS). Multirole has also been applied to one aircraft with both major roles, a primary air-to-air combat role, and
4200-464: Is equipped for a weapon systems officer (WSO, pronounced "wizzo") to work the air-to-ground avionics via multiple screens; these view the radar , electronic warfare , or thermographic cameras , monitor aircraft or weapons status and possible threats, select targets, and use an electronic moving map to navigate. Two hand controls are used to select new displays and to refine targeting information; displays can be moved from one screen to another using
4320-643: Is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) in the other uniformed services . In the Uruguayan Air Force , a brigadier general is the second highest rank in its hierarchy, behind the air general, and the first of the general officers to be achieved. It is equivalent to the rank of general in the Army and counter admiral in the Navy . Each brigadier general is appointed by the Executive with
4440-469: Is given the name of brigadier , which is usually equivalent to brigadier general in the armies of nations that use the rank. The rank can be traced back to the militaries of Europe where a "brigadier general", or simply a "brigadier", would command a brigade in the field. In the first quarter of the 20th century, British and Commonwealth armies used the rank of brigadier general as a temporary appointment, or as an honorary appointment on retirement; in
4560-635: Is involved in the design and manufacture of the Conformal Weapons Bay (CWB) for the F-15 Silent Eagle . The engines used on early aircraft are Pratt & Whitney F100 -PW-220. Later batches feature the more powerful P&W F100-PW-229 engines. Saudi Arabian and Israeli aircraft originally used P&W F100-229 engines. In 2008, Saudi Arabia decided to re-engine their F-15S and F-15SA fleets with General Electric F110 -GE-129 engines. The South Korean F-15K had two different engines;
4680-466: Is only awarded as a temporary promotion to a full colonel who assumes a post requiring the rank, notably in an international context (e.g. as military attaché in a major embassy). General de brigada (Brigade general) is the lowest rank amongst general officers of the Brazilian Army ; i.e. like in most British Commonwealth countries, the lowest general officer rank is a two-star rank , and
4800-653: Is operated by the Israeli Defense Force / Air Force No 69 Squadron , succeeding the F-4 Phantom II. It is used akin to a strategic bomber due to its long range, high munition capacity and advanced systems. After the Gulf War in 1991, in which Israeli towns were attacked by SCUD missiles based in Iraq, the Israeli government decided a long range strike aircraft was needed, issuing a Request for Information (RFI). In response, Lockheed Martin offered
4920-400: Is still used notwithstanding that brigades in the army are now commanded by colonels. Until the late 1990s brigades were commanded by brigadier-generals. In the air force context, brigadier-generals used to command air force groups until these bodies were abolished in the late 1990s. The rank insignia for a brigadier-general on air force uniforms is a single wide braid on the cuff, as well as
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle - Misplaced Pages Continue
5040-614: Is that, after a sweep of a target area, the crew may freeze the air-to-ground map then switch to air-to-air mode to scan for aerial threats. During air-to-surface weapon delivery, the pilot is capable of detecting, targeting, and engaging air-to-air targets while the WSO designates ground targets. The APG-70 was replaced by the AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar, which began flight tests in January 2010 and achieved initial operational capability in 2014. Its inertial navigation system uses
5160-547: Is the immediately superior two-star rank . While the Chilean Air Force uses Comodoro for its one-star rank, two-star Air Force officers hold the rank of General de Brigada Aérea – literally 'air brigade general'. The rank of brigadier general was established in 1953 by decree 1325 on the 21st of May. With this decree, the ranks of lieutenant general and general were replaced by brigadier general and lieutenant general establishing brigadier as
5280-526: Is the lowest general officer before Divisional General ( Spanish : General de Division ) and Lieutenant General ( Spanish : Teniente General ). In the Australian Imperial Force during World War I , the rank of brigadier general was always temporary and held only while the officer was posted to a particular task, typically the command of a brigade. (Until 1915, Australian brigades were commanded by colonels.) When posted elsewhere,
5400-687: Is the lowest rank of generals but already eligible in the promotion to become Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or PNP Chief of the Philippine National Police surpassing the Major General and Lieutenant General ranks. Generał brygady (literally, "general of a brigade", abbreviated gen. bryg. ) is the lowest-ranking general in the Polish Land Forces and Air Force . In
5520-565: Is titled "general" without any implication that he is an army general ; for instance General Charles de Gaulle never rose higher than brigade general. Until 1793, the rank of brigadier des armées ("brigadier of the armies") existed in the French Army , which could be described as a senior colonel or junior brigade commander. The normal brigade command rank was maréchal de camp (literally "camp marshal"). When rank insignia were introduced, brigadier des armées wore one star and
5640-630: Is used for the designated rank of the general officers that the country stipulates as brigade commanders' class by law. The rank of brigadier general (with some local variations) is used in the Argentine Air Force . Unlike other armed forces of the World, the rank of brigadier general is actually the highest rank in the Air Force. This is due to the use of the rank of brigadier and its derivatives to designate all general officers in
5760-511: The 4th Armoured Division ( 4 division cuirassée ). However his initial authority as head of the Free French really came from being the only cabinet member (Under-Secretary of State for National Defence and War ) outside occupied France , not from his military rank. As a reminder of his war position, he refused any further promotion. The country is divided into two areas for administrative and operational reasons, and in each area there
5880-436: The Army , the rank for combat arms officers is generale di brigata whilst for the logistics and technical corps is called brigadier generale . In 1926, the brigadiere generale and maggior generale in comando di brigata were merged and renamed with their current rank designation.The rank is also present in the other armed forces, police corps and other services of Italy , with different denominations, and it
6000-622: The B-21 Raider . The F-15E may also be replaced by a clean-sheet sixth-generation aircraft design. On 24 March 2014, Boeing won a $ 30.6 million contract from DARPA as part of the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program. The goal of the program is to cut the cost of putting microsatellites into orbit by 66% through advances in launch systems. Under the 11-month contract, Boeing will build twelve 24 ft (7.3 m) launch vehicles, each with
6120-676: The F-15 Advanced Eagle family that began with the F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) for the Royal Saudi Air Force , which first flew in 2013. It replaces the older hybrid electronic/mechanical system with a digital fly-by-wire control system that opens up two additional wing pylons and a revised wing structure for increased service life. The Advanced Eagle would have further developed variants with the F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) for
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#17327719675396240-472: The F-22 Raptor . Below is a list of some current examples. Brigadier general Brigadier general or brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank is usually above a colonel , and below a major general or divisional general . When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000 troops (two regiments or four battalions ). Brigadier general ( Brig. Gen. )
6360-804: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with the antenna of the APG-63(V)3 AESA being fitted on the F-15C; it was named APG-63(V)4 until it received the APG-82 designation in 2009. The new radar is to be part of the F-15E Radar Modernization Program, which also includes a wideband radome (enabling operation on more radar frequencies) and environment control and electronic warfare improvements. In 2015, Boeing and BAE Systems were awarded contracts to comprehensively upgrade of
6480-626: The Iraqi Republican Guard / Baath Party HQ in Basrah while another flight of four destroyed a nearby Air Defense Sector HQ with six GBU-10s. In late February, the 336th received additional aircrews, many drafted from the two non-deployable squadrons at Seymour Johnson (the 333d and 334th Fighter Squadrons ) and 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base , for a total of four aircrews per F-15E. In March,
6600-701: The Libyan no-fly zone as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn . On 21 March 2011, an F-15E from the 492d Fighter Squadron crashed near Bengazi, Libya. Both crew members parachuted into territory held by resistance elements of the Libyan population and were eventually rescued by US Marines. Equipment problems caused a weight imbalance and contributed to the crash when leaving the target area. USAF F-15Es have participated in Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria. On
6720-906: The Persian Gulf . During January 2003, the 336th was deployed to Al Udeid Air Base , Qatar, in coordination with planners of the Combined Air Operations Center at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. In late January, F-15Es began flying in Operation Southern Watch, typically performing surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Additional roles included simulated combat against potential Iraqi targets and regional familiarization with local procedures and rules of engagement . During OSW, F-15Es struck targets in southern and western Iraq, including radars, radio stations, command and control sites, and air defences. On one night, four F-15Es released multiple GBU-24s on
6840-550: The Portuguese Army and Air Force , brigadeiro-general is a temporary general rank for the colonels that have to exercise a special command. It is the equivalent of the commodore rank in the Portuguese Navy . The rank was reintroduced in 1999. Before that, simply as brigadeiro , it existed from 1707 to 1864 and again from 1929 to 1947, not being considered a general rank. From 1947 to 1999, brigadeiro become
6960-644: The Qatari Emiri Air Force and the F-15EX Eagle II for the USAF. In FY 2020, USAF began procuring the F-15EX to replace the aging fleet of F-15C/D and supplement the F-22 Raptor to maintain air superiority fighter numbers, taking advantage of the existing export production line to quickly and affordably bring additional fighters into service; the F-15EX is also an option to replace the F-15E at
7080-429: The Royal Canadian Air Force , Canadian Army , and the Royal Canadian Navy , rank structure and insignia followed the British pattern. This system of rank insignia was reinstated in 2014. In army usage, the term "brigadier" was used to denote what is now known as a brigadier-general while the air force used the rank of air commodore . In the Chilean Army , Brigadier is a one-star rank and General de Brigada
7200-411: The Turkish Air Force , the equivalent rank is tuğgeneral (the Turkish Navy equivalent is tuğamiral ). The name is derived from tugay , the Turkish word for a brigade. Both tugay and tuğ - as military terms may owe their origins to the older Turkish word tuğ , meaning horsetail, which was used as a symbol of authority and rank in Ottoman and pre-Ottoman times. Brigadier-general
7320-447: The 1920s this practice changed to the use of brigadier, which was not classed as a general officer. Brigade general is the rank of a brigade commander in countries where the French Revolutionary System's general officer rank designation is used. The rank name général de brigade ( transl. brigade general ) was first used in the French revolutionary armies. It used both brigadier general and major general because it
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#17327719675397440-486: The 335th Fighter Squadron's personnel and aircraft joined the 336th at Al Udeid. One objective was the destruction of Iraq's air defenses and Early Warning radar network near the Jordanian border, allowing F-16s and helicopters to operate from Jordan from the war's outset. Several radar sites and radio relay stations were hit in western Iraq near the "H3" airfield, encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire. On 19 March, as F-117 Nighthawks dropped bombs over Baghdad , targeting
7560-403: The ALASA payload. The project was terminated in late 2015. The F-15E's deep-strike mission is a radical departure from the original intent of the F-15 since it was designed as an air-superiority fighter under the mantra "not a pound for air-to-ground." The basic airframe, however, proved versatile enough to produce a very capable strike fighter. The F-15E, while designed for ground attack, retains
7680-432: The Air Force: brigadier (lowest general officer); brigadier-major (middle); and brigadier-general (highest). The rank of brigadier general is reserved for the Chief General Staff of the Air Force, as well as the Chief of the Joint General Staff if he should be an Air Force officer. The Argentine Army does not use the rank of brigadier-general, instead using brigade general ( Spanish : General de brigada ) which in turn
7800-574: The Bosnian capital, Sarajevo . On 9 September, an F-15E deployed the type's first GBU-15 bomb; dropping nine on Bosnian-Serb ground forces and air defense targets near Banja Luka . In response to the displacement of Kosovars and the Serbian government's rejection of a NATO ultimatum, Operation Allied Force was launched in March 1999. A total of 26 F-15Es flew the first strikes of Allied Force against Serb surface-to-air-missile sites, anti-aircraft batteries and early warning radar stations. Strike Eagles were deployed to Aviano as well as RAF Lakenheath in
7920-406: The F-15 under the designation "FAST Pack", with FAST standing for "Fuel and Sensor, Tactical. It was subsequently fitted with a Pave Tack laser designator targeting pod to allow the independent delivery of guided bombs . The demonstrator was displayed at the 1980 Farnborough Airshow . In March 1981, the USAF announced the Enhanced Tactical Fighter program to replace the F-111. The program
8040-460: The F-15's Head-up display; a total number of 150 HUDs were delivered by 2011. LIG Nex1 had been a participant in the F-15K program as a subcontractor to Rockwell Collins . LIG Nex1 is also preparing to manufacture F-15's new multi-function display and flight control computer. Also since 2004, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has produced the F-15's wings and forward fuselages; in 2008, KAI established another production line for Singapore's F-15SG. KAI
8160-418: The F-15E Strike Eagle interdictor/strike derivative which retained the air-to-air combat lethality of earlier F-15s. The newest fighter jet that fits the definition of 'multi-role' is the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II / Joint Strike Fighter , designed to perform stealth-based ground/naval strike, fighter, reconnaissance and electronic warfare roles. Like a modern-day F-4, 3 variants of this aircraft fulfill
8280-417: The F-15E design through the Advanced Eagle family, including the F-15EX Eagle II . The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was introduced by the USAF to replace its fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs . Unlike the F-4, the F-15 was designed for air superiority with little consideration for a ground-attack role; the F-15 Special Project Office opposed the idea of F-15s performing interdiction, giving rise to
8400-399: The F-15E exceptional accuracy in weapons delivery day or night and in poor weather, and consists of two pods attached to the exterior of the aircraft. At night, the video picture from the LANTIRN can be projected on the head-up display (HUD), producing an infrared image of the ground. The AN/AAQ-13 navigation pod contains a terrain-following radar which allows the pilot to safely fly at
8520-444: The F-15E's lower development costs compared to the F-16XL (US$ 270 million versus US$ 470 million), a belief that the F-15E had future growth potential, and possessing twin-engine redundancy. The USAF was initially expected to procure 400 aircraft, a figure later revised to 392. Construction of the first three F-15Es started in July 1985. The first of these, 86-0183 , made its maiden flight on 11 December 1986. Piloted by Gary Jennings,
8640-565: The Hind was roughly 800 feet (240 m) over the ground when the 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb hit its target. As another Coalition bombing operation had commenced, the F-15Es disengaged from combat with the remaining helicopters. F-15Es struck heavily defended targets throughout Iraq, prioritizing SCUD missile sites. Missions aimed at killing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein were undertaken by F-15Es, bombing several suspected locations. Prior to
8760-561: The Iraqi Medina Republican Guard's total force; they also struck 65 MiGs on the ground, and destroyed key air defense and command buildings in Baghdad. F-15Es worked with other jets deployed to Al Udeid, including RAAF F/A-18s , USAF F-16s and F-117s, RAF Panavia Tornados and US Navy F-14s. Following the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on 17 March 2011, 18 USAF F-15Es were amongst other NATO and allied aircraft were deployed to enforce
8880-513: The UK. In-theater, F-15Es conducted close air support (CAS) missions, a popular concept within the USAF. Missions typically lasted around 7.5 hours, included two aerial refuelings; F-15Es would carry a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions to perform both combat air patrol duties as well as strike missions in the same mission. Mobile SAM launchers posed a considerable threat to NATO aircraft and had made successful shoot-downs, most notably of
9000-451: The USAF inventory. It is also armed with AIM-9 Sidewinders and AIM-120 AMRAAMs , retaining the counter-air capabilities of its Eagle lineage, being fully capable of Offensive-Counter-Air operations. Like the F-15C, it also carries an internally mounted General Electric M61A1 20 mm cannon with 500 rounds, which is effective against enemy aircraft and "soft" ground targets. Since 2004, South Korean firm LIG Nex1 has been manufacturing
9120-406: The USAF's F-15E fleet had an average age of 21 years and an average airframe flying time of 6,000 hours. In 2012, the USAF was reportedly considering future options, with no replacement for the F-15E being slated at that time. The F-15E design would see some export success and Boeing continued developing upgrades for international customers. More radical upgrades to the air vehicle design resulted in
9240-661: The United Kingdom performed several long range strikes against IS camps and prominent figures in Libya. On 13 November 2015, a pair of F-15Es killed Abu Nabil al-Anbari , the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Libya , in a strike near Darnah , Eastern Libya. On 20 February 2016, USAF F-15Es hit an IS training camp near Sabratha where foreign fighters were based, reportedly killing Noureddine Chouchane,
9360-499: The absence since 1793 of a French rank with only one star. For this reason, in France, the rank corresponding to brigade general was changed to brigadier general after NATO was established on April 4, 1949, and before that, it corresponded to major general. Nowadays, a French général de brigade generally commands a brigade. The rank can also be awarded in an honorary fashion to retiring colonels. The insignia are two stars, worn on
9480-674: The air force wedge cap features silver braid on the edges of the ear flaps. The cap insignia for a general officer is a modified version of the Canadian Forces insignia. Army brigadier-generals wear gorget patches on the collar of the service uniform tunic. Brigadier-generals are initially addressed verbally as "General" and name; thereafter by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am" in English or mon général in French. They are normally entitled to staff cars . Until unification in 1968 of
9600-505: The air-to-air lethality of the F-15, and can defend itself against enemy aircraft. The F-15E prototype was a modification of the two-seat F-15B. Despite its origins, it includes significant structural changes as well as more powerful engines. The aft fuselage was designed to incorporate the more powerful engines with advanced engine bay structures and doors, which incorporate Superplastic forming and diffusion bonding technologies. The back seat
9720-770: The air-to-air missiles aircraft can carry: the AIM-9L , Rafael Python 4 and the Rafael Python 5 infrared-homing missiles; and the AIM-7 Sparrow and the AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided missiles. In 1999, Israel announced its intention to procure more fighters and that a possible contender was the F-15I. However, the contract went to the F-16I . Multirole combat aircraft A multirole combat aircraft ( MRCA )
9840-588: The aircraft as a replacement for the General Dynamics F-111 and the remaining F-4s, as well as to augment the existing F-15s. In 1978, the USAF initiated the Tactical All-Weather Requirement Study, which looked at McDonnell Douglas's proposal and other options such as the purchase of further F-111Fs. The study recommended the F-15E as the USAF's future strike platform. In 1979, McDonnell Douglas and Hughes began
9960-482: The aircraft reached a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 and an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,000 m) during the 75-minute flight. This aircraft had the full F-15E avionics suite and the redesigned front fuselage, but not the aft fuselage and the common engine bay. The latter was featured on 86-0184 , while 86-0185 incorporated all the changes of the F-15E from the F-15. On 31 March 1987, the first officially completed F-15E made its first flight. The first production F-15E
10080-465: The aircrew using incorrect coordinates. An MH-47 carrying a rescue team was downed by an RPG while attempting to support the SEALs. Following refueling, the F-15Es dropped a further 11 GBU-12s in coordination with ground forces, and fired their cannons on Taliban forces in close proximity to the survivors of the downed MH-47. F-16s of 18th Fighter Squadron also made strafing passes until cannon ammunition
10200-413: The centre), cap badge (crossed sword and baton within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown in gold embroidery) and cap visor (two rows of gold oakleaf embroidery) as other generals. As in the United Kingdom, the rank was later replaced by colonel commandant in 1922 and brigadier in 1928. However, those holding the rank of brigadier general continued to do so throughout the inter-war period, until
10320-586: The electronic warfare system of all USAF F-15s, including the F-15E, with the AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS). The first F-15E retrofitted with EPAWSS was delivered in 2022. Having a sturdier airframe rated for 8,000 hours of service life or up to 16,000 hours with proper depot maintenance programs, twice the lifetime of earlier variants, the F-15E is expected to remain in service past 2025. As of December 2012,
10440-535: The engine intake ramps (although CFTs can also be mounted on earlier F-15 variants) and a tandem-seat cockpit. The Strike Eagle has been deployed for military operations in Iraq , Afghanistan , Syria , and Libya , among others. During these operations, the strike fighter has carried out deep strikes against high-value targets and combat air patrols , and provided close air support for coalition troops. It has also been exported to several countries. Boeing enhanced
10560-414: The evaluation, added to the program other F-15s, designated 78-0468 , 80-0055 , and 81-0063 . The single-engined F-16XL was a promising design, which with its radically redesigned cranked-delta wing , greatly boosted performance; if selected, the single- and two-seat versions were to be designated F-16E and F-16F, respectively. On 24 February 1984, the USAF chose the F-15E; key factors in the decision were
10680-421: The fact that it was not American-made, it was not seriously considered. The DRF evaluation team, under the direction of Brigadier General Ronald W. Yates , ran from 1981 through 30 April 1983, during which the F-15E logged more than 200 flights, demonstrated takeoff weight of more than 75,000 pounds (34 t), and validated 16 different weapons-carrying configurations. McDonnell Douglas, to assist 71-0291 in
10800-537: The first batch are powered by GE F110 engines, while the second batch are powered by P&W F100 engines. The Singapore Air Force equipped their F-15SG fleet with GE F110 engines. The F-15E was first delivered to the U.S. Air Force operational units in 1988. The F-15E reached initial operational capability on 30 September 1989 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing , 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron . The F-15E
10920-541: The first grade for generals. In the 60s these ranks were reformed once again creating a third rank, brigadier general, Major general, and general in the Fuerzas Militares , and the National Police . France uses the rank of "brigade general" ( général de brigade ). The rank contrasts with the French sub-officer rank of brigadier . As with all French general officers, a French brigade general
11040-483: The first night, the main targets were Taliban military structures, supply depots, and al-Qaeda training camps and caves. Both the AGM-130 and GBU-15 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs were expended; this was the GBU-15's first combat usage. GBU-24s and GBU-28s were used against reinforced targets, command and control centers and cave entrances. F-15Es often operated in pairs alongside pairs of F-16Cs. Within weeks of
11160-510: The ground war, F-15Es flew tank plinking missions against Iraqi vehicles in Kuwait. After 42 days of combat, a cease fire came into effect on 1 March 1991, leading to the creation of Northern and Southern no-fly zones over Iraq . Following Desert Storm, two no-fly zones over Iraq were set up, and enforced typically by US and UK aircraft. In one incident, an attack on up to 600 Kurdish refugees by Iraqi helicopters at Chamchamal , northern Iraq,
11280-567: The last of them retired or was promoted during the Second World War. A brigadier general was a general officer, but brigadiers were not generals, which is shown by the rank insignia being like that of a colonel, but with an extra (third) star/pip, and a brigadier wore the same gorget patches (scarlet cloth with a line of crimson gimp), cap badge (the Royal Crest in gold embroidery), and cap visor (one row of gold oakleaf embroidery) as
11400-515: The mission was cancelled mid-flight over the application of stringent Rules of Engagement. In December 1993, F-15Es launched to destroy a pair of SA-2s which had fired upon two Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS 1s. In August 1995, F-15Es of 90th Fighter Squadron were also deployed. The 492d and 494th flew over 2,500 sorties since starting Deny Flight, 2,000 of these by 492d. In August 1995, in support of NATO's Operation Deliberate Force , F-15Es flew strike missions against Serbian armor and logistics around
11520-570: The mission. On 4 March, another incident known as the Battle of Roberts' Ridge involved several F-15Es performing a CAS mission. Aircraft destroyed a Taliban observation post and responded to nearby enemy mortar fire upon Navy SEAL forces searching for an ambushed MH-47E Chinook in the Shah-i-Kot Valley . Several bombs were dropped as the SEAL team took fire, however one bomb missed due to
11640-562: The morning of 23 September 2014, numerous American and Arab aircraft conducted air strikes in Syria against IS fighters, training compounds, headquarters and command and control facilities, storage facilities, a finance center, supply trucks, and armed vehicles. The Pentagon released videos of targets hit by ordnance deployed by F-15Es, taken by their AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pods. Between August 2014 and January 2015, F-15Es flew 37 percent of all USAF sorties. USAF F-15Es based at RAF Lakenheath in
11760-420: The phrase "Not a pound for air to ground." In service, the F-15 has been a successful fighter, scoring over 100 aerial combat victories and zero losses in air-to-air combat as of 2007. Despite a lack of official interest, McDonnell Douglas had quietly included a basic secondary ground attack capability in the F-15's design since the beginning and worked on an F-15-derived interdictor fighter. The company envisaged
11880-456: The rank of brigadier-general (BGen) ( brigadier-général or bgén in French) is a rank for members who wear army or air force uniform, equal to a commodore for those in navy uniform. A brigadier-general is the lowest rank of general officer . A brigadier-general is senior to a colonel or naval captain , and junior to a major-general or rear-admiral . The rank title brigadier-general
12000-452: The rank would be relinquished and the former rank resumed. This policy prevented an accumulation of high-ranking general officers brought about by the relatively high turnover of brigade commanders. Brigadier general was also used as an honorary rank on retirement. The rank insignia was like that of the current major general , but without the star/pip. Brigadier generals wore the same gorget patches (a line of gold oak leaf embroidery down
12120-638: The same basic design to undertake a variety of roles, the Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike) variant and later the Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defence Variant). By contrast, the F-15 Eagle which was another fighter aircraft of that era was designed for air superiority and interception, with the mantra "not a pound for air to ground", although the F-15C did have a rarely used secondary ground attack capability. That program eventually evolved into
12240-424: The same mission." According to BAE Systems, "an aircraft that can accomplish both air-to-air and air-to-surface roles on the same mission and swing between these roles instantly offers true flexibility. This reduces cost, increases effectiveness and enhances interoperability with allied air forces". "[Swing-role] capability also offers considerable cost-of-ownership benefits to operational commanders." Although
12360-451: The shoulder or at the sleeve of the uniform, depending on the order of dress. Two different kepis are issued: the service kepi sports the two stars, while the formal kepi features a large band of oak leaves (the kepi of a division general has two smaller such bands). Charles de Gaulle held the rank of brigade general. He was given a temporary promotion to this rank in May 1940 as commander of
12480-407: The start of combat operations, there was a lack of targets to strike as nearly all targets had been already destroyed. The Taliban had access to SA-7 and FIM-92 Stinger portable surface-to-air missiles , posing no threat to most aircraft flying above 7,000 feet (2,100 m). Additionally, fixed SAM sites near cities as Mazar-i-Sharif and Bagram were struck early on; Afghanistan had rapidly become
12600-461: The stated cause was confusion between the air controller and the F-15E on the bombing coordinates. On 13 September 2009, an F-15E shot down a non-responsive MQ-9 Reaper drone over Northern Afghanistan to prevent it entering foreign airspace. In late 2002, during tension over suspected Iraqi possession of weapons of mass destruction , the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base was ordered to maintain at least one squadron ready to deploy to
12720-593: The term "multirole aircraft" may be relatively novel, certain airframes in history have proven versatile to multiple roles. In particular, the Junkers Ju 88 was renowned in Germany for being a "jack-of-all-trades", capable of performing as a bomber, dive bomber, night fighter, and so on, much as the British de Havilland Mosquito did as a fast bomber/strike aircraft, reconnaissance, and night fighter. The Hawker Hart
12840-703: The two-star general rank in the Portuguese Army. As two-star rank, it was substituted by the rank of major-general in 1999. In the Spanish Army , Spanish Air Force , and Spanish Marine Infantry ( Infantería de Marina , a branch of the Armada ) general de brigada is the lowest rank of general officers. Its equivalent in the Navy ( Armada ) is contraalmirante . In the Turkish Army and
12960-749: The various strike and air defense roles among its joint service requirements: the standard variant is intended to eventually replace the F-16 and A-10 in the USAF and other Western air forces, a STOVL version intended to replace the Harrier in US Marine Corps, British Royal Air Force and Royal Navy service, and a carrier variant intended to eventually replace the older F/A-18C/D for the US Navy and other F/A-18 operators. The F-35's design goal can be compared to its larger and more air superiority-focused cousin,
13080-432: The war: a Mil Mi-24 helicopter. While responding to a request for help by US Special Forces, five Iraqi helicopters were spotted. The lead F-15E of two, via its FLIR, acquired a helicopter in the process of unloading Iraqi soldiers, and released a GBU-10 bomb. The F-15E crew thought the bomb had missed its target and were preparing to use a Sidewinder when the helicopter was destroyed. The Special Forces team estimated that
13200-469: Was a United Nations -enforced no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the deteriorating situation in the Balkans . In August 1993, F-15Es from 492nd and 494th FS deployed to Aviano , Italy . In late 1993, NATO ordered a limited F-15E strike at Udbina airfield, targeting Serbian forces in neighboring Croatia . Eight F-15Es armed with GBU-12s took off to attack an SA-6 anti-aircraft vehicle;
13320-584: Was also quite 'multirole' in its numerous variants, being designed as a light bomber but serving as an army cooperation aircraft, a two-seat fighter, a fleet spotter, a fighter-bomber (in fact it was probably the first) and a trainer. The US joint forces F-4 Phantom II built by McDonnell-Douglas also fits the definition of a multi-role aircraft in its various configurations of the basic airframe design. The various F-4 Phantom II configurations were used in air-to-air, fighter bomber, reconnaissance, and suppression of enemy air defenses ( SEAD ) mission roles to name
13440-687: Was conducted when Iraq refused UNSCOM inspections. On 28 December 1998, three F-15Es struck an SA-3 tracking radar and optical guidance unit, each dropping two GBU-12 500-pound precision-guided munitions (PGMs). After Desert Fox, Iraq frequently violated the no-fly zones, thus F-15Es conducted several pre-planned retaliatory strikes; in ONW alone, weapons were expended on at least 105 days. Between 24 and 26 January 1999, F-15Es expended several AGM-130s and GBU-12s against SAM sites near Mosul , northern Iraq. They also flew in support of Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Provide Comfort II. Operation Deny Flight
13560-637: Was delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing , Luke Air Force Base , Arizona, in April 1988. Production continued into the 2000s with 236 produced for the USAF through 2001. The F-15E was upgraded with the Raytheon AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar after 2007, and the first test radar was delivered to Boeing in 2010. It combines the processor of the APG-79 used on
13680-402: Was depleted, then resorting to further bomb drops. The F-15Es suffered technical issues involving both radio and weapon failures, several GBU-12s were dropped before returning to Al Jaber in Kuwait. Years later, several incidents occurred. On 23 August 2007, a friendly fire incident involved an F-15E mistakenly dropping a 500 lb (230 kg) bomb on British forces, killing three soldiers;
13800-801: Was deployed in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 for Operation Desert Shield . The 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron flew to Seeb Air Base in Oman to begin training exercises in anticipation of an Iraqi attack on Saudi Arabia ; in December, the 335th and 336th squadrons relocated to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, closer to Iraq's border. At the start of Operation Desert Storm , 24 F-15Es launched an attack on five fixed Scud installations in western Iraq on 17 January 1991. Missions against Scud sites continued through that night with
13920-416: Was eventually brought down by a missile of unknown origin. On 18 January, during a strike against a petrol oil and lubricant plant near Basrah , an F-15E was lost to enemy fire, killing both pilot and WSO. F-15E crews described this mission as the most difficult and dangerous of the war as it was heavily defended by SA-3s , SA-6s , SA-8s and Rolands as well as by anti-aircraft artillery. Two nights later,
14040-701: Was formerly a rank or appointment in the British Army and Royal Marines , and briefly in the Royal Air Force . The appointment was abolished in the Army and the Marines in 1921; the equivalent rank today is Brigadier . In the United States Army , United States Air Force , United States Marine Corps , and United States Space Force , a brigadier general is a one-star general officer . It
14160-562: Was later renamed the Dual-Role Fighter (DRF) competition. The concept envisioned an aircraft capable of launching deep air interdiction missions without requiring additional support by fighter escort or jamming . General Dynamics submitted the F-16XL , while McDonnell Douglas submitted the F-15E. The Panavia Tornado was also a candidate, but since the aircraft lacked a credible air-superiority fighter capability, coupled with
14280-474: Was observed by a flight of F-15Es. As they were not allowed to open fire, the F-15Es instead conducted several high speed passes as close as possible to the Iraqi helicopters to create severe wake-turbulence, while aiming lasers at the helicopter's cockpits to attempt to blind their crews; this caused the crash of one Hind. Afterwards, USAF leadership ordered F-15Es not to fly below 10,000 feet (3,000 m) to deter
14400-426: Was often expended as well as bombs from F-15Es. It was during combat over Afghanistan that four 391st crews conducted the longest fighter mission in history; lasting a total of 15.5 hours, nine of those hours spent flying over the target area. Two F-15Es attacked two Taliban command and control facilities, two buildings suspected of being used by Taliban fighters, and a road block; the F-15Es refueled 12 times during
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